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Sadie says …

Answers to frequently asked questions about older adult issues

Q: I have been getting calls requesting my Medicare or health insurance information. Should I share it?

A: New Medicare replacement cards will begin mailing out this spring and will continue to be replaced through 2019. As an older adult be advised that as the new cards begin to be mailed, watch out for scams as you will become a prime target.

You need to know that Medicare will never ask you to give personal or private information to get your new Medicare number and card.

Scam artists may try to get your current Medicare number and other personal information by claiming to be from Medicare and using various scams including:

• Asking you to confirm your Medicare or Social Security number so they can send you a new card.

• Telling you there is a charge for your new card and they need to verify your personal information.

• Threatening to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your Medicare number or other personal information.

If someone calls you and asks you for your Medicare number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

If you want to receive information about scams in the Commonwealth, you can sign up at the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Sign-Up-for-Alerts.aspx

To file a complaint you can call the Senior Abuse Hotline at 1-800-490-8505.

As a reference the following is a list of Helplines:

• Child Predator Unit: 800-385-1044

• Elder Abuse Unit: 866-623-2137

• Consumer Protection: 800-441-2555

• Education & Outreach: 800-525-7642

• Health Care Section: 877-888-4877

• Do Not Call List: 888-777-3406

• Military & Veterans Affairs: 717-783-1944

(Information about the Medicare card was referenced from the following webpage: https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/your-medicare-card.html.)

“Sadie Says” is brought to you by the Lycoming County Health Improvement Coaltion.

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